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RI pilgrims dining prison-style: Lawmaker

NU Online  ·  Senin, 7 November 2011 | 11:55 WIB

Jakarta, NU Online
Indonesian hajj pilgrims have reported that the way were fed in Mina, Saudi Arabia, was like being in prison, House of Representatives Speaker Marzuki Alie said Monday.

“During the first spot inspection in Mina, most pilgrims complained about how they had to line up for meals. A catering officer would fill their plates with rice, vegetables and meat … They protested that this was not a buffet, but was like eating in prison,” Marzuki said in Saudi Arabia on Monday, as quoted by tribunnews.com.

He explained that that for every group, consisting of around 350-450 people, there was only one service table, which meant pilgrims had to line up in extremely long queues, often under the scorching heat.

Marzuki added that some pilgrims had resorted to not taking the meals, because of the uncomfortable circumstances.

The House and the Religion Affairs Ministry had agreed on a boxed meal system for the pilgrims, Marzuki said, adding that the ministry had changed this system without consulting legislators. (dar)